Palms 101
2026-01-22 11:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | Palma Sola Botanical Park, 9800 17th Avenue Northwest, Bradenton, FL, 34209, United States
Get ready to dive into the world of palms at Palms 101, where you’ll learn all about these iconic tropical and subtropical plants!
Join us at Palma Sola Botanical Park for Palms 101 Get up close and personal with various palm species, discover their unique features, needs, common health issues, and learn how to care for them. This in-person event is perfect for beginner palm enthusiasts and anyone who is new to caring for palms in their landscape. Don’t miss out on this educational and fun experience surrounded by the beauty of nature!
Part of the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ collection
>>> RESERVE A SPOT <<<

Dune Savers Work Day
2026-01-23 07:30 - 08:30, 2026-01-30 07:30 - 08:30, 2026-02-06 07:30 - 08:30, 2026-02-13 07:30 - 08:30, 2026-02-20 07:30 - 08:30, 2026-02-27 07:30 - 08:30, 2026-03-06 07:30 - 08:30, 2026-03-13 07:30 - 08:30 and 1 more date | To Be Determined, FL, United States
Contact Deb Rothenberger for location: d2bv4@aol.com
Thank you all and can’t wait to see you Friday morning!

Fight the Bite
2026-01-24 10:00 - 11:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Learn what Pinellas County Mosquito Control is doing to protect public health through Integrated Mosquito Management.
Our presentation will touch on the history of mosquito-borne illnesses and mosquito control in the state of Florida, important steps you can take to prevent mosquito breeding around your home, protecting yourself from mosquito bites, and information about the services Pinellas County Mosquito Control provides to the county.
Save your spot

Advanced Plant Identification - 4-Part Series
2026-01-24 10:00 - 14:00, 2026-01-31 10:00 - 14:00, 2026-02-07 10:00 - 14:00, 2026-02-14 10:00 - 14:00, 2026-02-21 10:00 - 14:00, 2026-02-28 10:00 - 14:00, 2026-03-07 10:00 - 14:00, 2026-03-14 10:00 - 14:00 and 1 more date | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
This four-part plant identification series will introduce participants to the steps required to positively identify plants.
Plant identification is based on close observation of morphological characteristics, contextual clues and lots of practice. This four–part advanced plant identification series will introduce participants to these concepts and the associated vocabulary of the plant scientist.
The class follows the contents of Harrington’s “How to Identify Plants” (1957); a copy of which is provided to each registrant. This concise text contains a comprehensive vocabulary of terms and illustrations to help clarify concepts.
A packet of supplemental educational materials will also be provided to each registrant.
About this Event
During each 4-hour classroom event, participants will engage in a participatory lecture, and have plenty of time for Q & A. The final session will be a hands-on workshop that will include graduates from previous courses. Each session will build on the previous; attending the entire series is recommended.
Classes are four consecutive Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Bio-breaks are factored into the schedule for each day! Bring a bag-lunch (refrigeration and a microwave are available).
>>> RESERVE A SPOT <<<
Class dates and syllabus:
Week 1, March 8
Plant Classification

Parts of a Flower
Inflorescence Types
Non-Flowering Plant Identification
Read Harrington Chapter I – V

Week 2, March 15

Roots-n-Shoots
Leaves
Surfaces
Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Asteraceae
Read Harrington Chapters VI – XI

Week 3, March 22

General Terms
Fruits and Seeds
Using a Dichotomous Key

Week 4, March 29

Review, general questions
Hands-on Workshop with former graduates
Graduation!

Upon completion of the entire course, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion from the University of Florida.

Homeschool Classes - Marine Biology
2026-02-06 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-03-06 14:30 - 15:30 | Tampa Bay Watch Marine & Education Center, 3000 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, FL, 33715, United States
Dive into Marine Biology with Tampa Bay Watch!
Tampa Bay Watch is thrilled to introduce a brand-new marine biology unit designed specifically for local homeschoolers. Join us at the beginning of each month for an exciting, hands-on learning experience!
These student-only sessions are perfect for curious minds ages 6 and up, offering opportunities to explore marine ecosystems and engage with real-world science. Whether you drop in for a single class or register for the full series, each session promises discovery, adventure, and fun.
Spaces are limited—reserve your spot today!
$20 per participant

January 2nd 1:00 – 2:00 PM
Lionfish Dissection

Join us to explore the ins and outs of the invasive lionfish. Uncover the truth about these problematic fish through a hands-on dissection and learn what is being done to eliminate them.

February 6th 1:00 – 2:00 PM
Shark Science

Learn what makes sharks successful predators in the ocean and some of the challenges they face. Participants will leave with a new appreciation for these highly evolved (and often misunderstood) fish.

March 6th 2:30 – 3:30 PM
Wild About Dolphins

Join us for a journey into the lives of dolphins – one of the ocean’s most intelligent and charismatic marine megafauna. Discover how these remarkable animals utilize echolocation, communicate with one another, and can be identified as individuals based on their dorsal fins!

April 3rd 1:00 – 2:30 PM
Walking with Wildlife

Join us for a guided walking tour to get a closer look at the wildlife and habitats found nestled along the St Pete Pier. Students will learn how to become citizen scientists by discovering how to properly identify species and how to import their sightings into a global data collection platform.

May 1st 2:00 – 3:30 PM
Eco-Vessel Experience: All About the Bay

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a marine biologist? When you step into our floating classroom, you’ll find out! Join us aboard the Discovery to learn all about our favorite estuary: Tampa Bay! This tour includes wildlife watching, a fisheries trawl to take a closer look at common local species, and an opportunity to participate in real scientific research. We often spot manatees, dolphins, stingrays, birds, fish, and so much more.

May 8th 2:00 – 3:15 PM
Seine the Bay

Wade into shallow seagrass beds and use scientific nets to collect and identify fascinating nearshore creatures. Along the way, we’ll explore the vital connections between coastal habitats and the animals that call them home. Students will uncover the unique adaptations that help these estuary species thrive in their dynamic environment.
All students need to be appropriately dressed with closed-toed shoes and clothing that can get wet (old tennis shoes, water shoes, or dive boots work best). Participants should also bring a towel, change of clothes and dry shoes to change in to afterwards.
This class will be held at the Auer Marine Education Center at 3000 Pinellas Bayway S. Tierra Verde, FL 33715.

Audubon Guided Bird Walk
2026-02-07 08:00 - 10:00, 2026-03-07 08:00 - 10:00 | Moccasin Lake Environmental Education Center, 2750 Park Trail Lane, Clearwater, FL, United States
Take a guided hike on Moccasin Lake’s newly renovated nature trail while seeking birds by sight and sound.
Bring binoculars and field guides if you have them.
Meet in Moccasin Lake Parking Lot. Free event!

>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Emerson Point Preserve Tour
2026-02-07 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-03-07 09:00 - 11:00 | Emerson Point Preserve, 5801 17th St W, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Guided tour of Emerson Point Preserve with a Master Gardener Volunteer!
First Saturday of the month (November – April), at 9:00am
Casually stroll through the beautiful Emerson Point Preserve and learn about Florida’s native plants and inhabitants of a coastal environment. Suitable for all ages.
>>> RESERVE A SPOT <<<
Meet at the first parking area on the RIGHT at the Observation Tower (not at the classroom).
The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. For disability accommodations such as sign language interpreters and listening devices, please contact our office at (941) 722-4524 at least 1 week in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

Tampa Bay Super Bowl Paddle
2026-02-08 10:00 - 13:30 | Rotary Park, 5505 Rose Garden Road, Cape Coral, FL, 33914, United States
We will put in and take out at Rotary Park and paddle up to Lettuce Lake Park.
At Lettuce Lake, we will have a group pizza lunch. We have a pavilion near the boat launch reserved, and we will furnish pizza directly to Lettuce Lake. We can enjoy lunch, walk the boardwalk, enjoy the birds and gators, and then paddle easily back to Rotary Park.
Total paddle length is about 5 miles.
For more information and to register:
https://act.sierraclub.org/events/details?formcampaignid=701Po00001L2tFLIAZ

DeSoto/Riverview Pointe Preserve Tour
2026-02-14 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-03-14 09:00 - 11:00 | Fort DeSoto Park, 8250 Desoto Memorial Highway, Bradenton, FL, 34209, United States
Guided tour through DeSoto/Riverview Pointe Preserve with a Master Gardener Volunteer!

Second Saturday of the month (November – May), at 9:00am
Casually stroll through the beautiful Riverview Pointe Preserve and learn about Florida’s native plants and inhabitants of a coastal environment.
Suitable for all ages.

>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Tour begins in the parking area of DeSoto National Memorial Park and enters into Riverview Pointe Preserve.
Special Accommodations:
The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. For disability accommodations such as sign language interpreters and listening devices, please contact our office at (941) 722-4524 at least 1 week in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

Be a Biologist: Invasive Species
2026-02-28 14:00 - 15:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Join our scrub habitat where you become the biologist.
Take a hike with our rangers and learn all about our unique population of gopher tortoises. During the hike, participants will help with a citizen science activity.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
